New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-03
ABROGATE THE TREATY OF 1918.

Tor seventy years the United States Gov
ernment has been overrcached by Great Brit
Gin in diplomacy over the fisheries. The
Treaty of 1918 was a gratuitous surrender OF
historic rights and every reciprocity conven-
tor and fisheries clause subsequently sane
toned was q bad bargain for the American
people. The mOnstIous award of $5,5OOOOO
~ the Belgian Minister marked the culmina-
ton of long series of diplomatic blunders by
which American fishermen have been dospoilcd
of their ancient rights. The explicit statement
Of our London correspondent respecting the
resumption of negotiations at Washington for
the settlement of the fisheries question should
warn the country that It's interests arc impcr-
HE'D The present Secretary of State has been
duped once before by the British Minister and
fully committed to the policy of arbitration.
He is bent upon making another treaty. or sub
hitting Ill questions at issue 10 joint commits
sion. The interests of the American fishing
industry arc not safe il his hands. Nor arc
they safe in the hands of the Administration
that was armed yesterday with full powers OF
retaliation.
The prospect of a speedy resumption Of nc
gsiiations at Washington and the passage of the
retaliation act lend increased Importance to the
admirable letter which the Hon. John Jay, late
Minister to Vienna, has addressed to Senator
Ev,irts on this subject. We regret that the
pressure Of ncws dcprivcs us Of the privilege
of quoting a large part of this letter, but have
no hesitation in referring to it as the best ex-
position of the American case as it now stands
that has yet been presented 1t discusses
lucidly and with yigor the historical aspects Of
u IL Of oil
by Americans and rarely referred to in Con-
gIcssonal debates and it offers a practical
suggestion for the adjustment Of the fisheries
dispute which deserves careful consideration.
This suggestion has already been made in
these columns and naturally receives now our
hearty approval. 1t is proposal for the abro-
CATION of the Treaty of 1918. That conycn-
ten has always been yeXatlous source oil
trouble between the two countries. 1t has
ceased 10 offer even theoretical advantages to
the American feet and practically it is worse
than useless, since our fishermen are denied
their rights, and it is made the prctext for
systematic persecution by which their business
is interrupted. The United States would be
immcaslrably better of il that treaty were
abrogated. American fishermen in that event
would regain the historic rights which were
recognized in the Treaty Of Peace of 1888.
Mr.. JAY contends that the British Govern
mcnt by frequent violations of the Treaty OF
1915 have given the United States the right
10 abrogatc q convention which has ceased to
offer any advantages to our fishermen. lie
finds proofs Of these violations in Secretary
Bayard's correspondence and Secretary Man
ning's recent reports and he has no difficulty
in justifying by precedent and unmstakablc
warrants Of International law the right OF a ma
ton to withdraw from treaty on the ground
OF non performance Of contract on The other
side. The United States Government annullcd
in 1893 the treaties made with France In l|o.
| and based its action upon repeated rlolauons
| of the conventions. In like manner the same
| Government can withdraw from the Treaty oil
| 1918 aed find ample justification for its action
in international law. This should be the OBJ
Jcctiye point of the State Department. The
British Government should I've distinctly warned
that the Treaty of 1918 will be abrogatcd If
| the Canadian officials continue to violate It's
| provisions and deny to American fishermen
their unqucstioncd rights. A new treaty is
not wanted Negotiations for one will bc besct
with pitfalls and dangers for American dip
lonacy. The fisheries clause Of the Treaty OF
| 1888 would restore apcient rights which never
| should have bcen surrendered. That clause
would Immediately come into force II the
| Treaty Of 1915, which was repeatedly violated
| last year, were aiTogated.